Ocean Village Backs Earth Hour 2011

Online, March 22, 2011 (Newswire.com) - At 8.30pm on Saturday 26 March, Ocean Village will be joining one billion people in 4,600 cities across 130 countries around the globe in the big Earth Hour switch-off. Aside from minimal essential lighting, the Resort will be plunged into darkness as a bold reminder that we can take personal responsibility for the future of the planet we live on.

Brian Stevendale, Business and Development Director for Ocean Village, comments, "As one of Gibraltar's most prominent mixed-use resorts, we have the opportunity to use our voice to raise awareness of Earth Hour. We endeavour to be environmentally aware on a day-to-day basis and are therefore delighted to champion the switch-off to Gibraltar's residents. Earth Hour will also have the added side-effect of making Ocean Village the ideal spot for a special Saturday night out. Why not book a candlelit meal at Ipanema or enjoy the post-event Fashion Show at Savannah?"

The brainchild of WWF, the philosophy behind Earth Hour is to show that whilst one person has the power to make change, when we all come together we can change the world and protect the Earth's natural environment for future generations.

The switch-off originated in Sydney, Australia, in 2007 when 2.2 million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses turned their lights off for one hour to take a stand against climate change. By 2008 the movement had gone global and over subsequent years landmarks such as the CN Tower in Toronto, Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome's Colosseum, the Parthenon in Athens, the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben, Empire State Building, Great Pyramids of Egypt, Rio's Christ the Redeemer statue and Dubai's Burj al Arab Hotel have stood in darkness for one hour as symbols of hope for a cause that grows more urgent by the hour.

2011 is expected to be a record breaking year, the world's largest global climate change initiative bringing people together from all walks of life in celebration and contemplation of the one thing we all have in common - our planet. So join Ocean Village for the big switch-off and, when the lights go back on 60 minutes later, think about what else we can do to make a difference. Together our actions add up.

A Facebook page has been set up to promote the event and to inform every one of the latest news. It can be found at http://www.facebook.com/Earthhouroceanvillagegibraltar. Ocean Village has also teamed up with Gibraltar Environmental Services Group and the local Scouts to make Earth Hour 2011 a great success by encouraging those who cannot make it to Ocean Village to join in at home and in their workplaces. With Government support for Earth Hour having been obtained by ESG, there is hope that Gibraltar icons such as the Moorish Castle and Great Siege Tunnels could too stand in darkness.

For further information on Earth Hour visit www.earthhour.org.

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